Weekend wanderlist -- Published Jan. 25, 2008

Stay home, go out or get out of town with our top picks for dinner, a movie, what to do in The Bay or Sacramento and more.

The Record

Isadore’s680 N. Main St., Manteca(209) 825-4300

This restaurant has been doing brisk business in Manteca since 1989, and it’s easy to see why. Simply put, Isadore’s combines good food with an attention to detail you’re not likely to find in too many other places in the Central Valley.

The same goes for the service, which manages to be efficient without sending the message that you are being rushed through your meal. The Italian menu is varied and the specials can change daily. Even the bar is a plus, particularly at happy hour.

“Untraceable”

This is one of those deplorably gratuitous movies that wants to have it both ways, but gets nothing right.

It’s about a Web site that allows you to watch — live and streaming! — as some poor sap gets killed. The more hits that come in, the faster the victim dies.

The presence of Diane Lane as the FBI cybercrimes investigator on the case — who later becomes a potential victim herself, naturally — barely elevates the material.

“Cobra”With Sylvester Stallone back in multiplexes this week with his first “Rambo” adventure in 20 years, your thoughts might turn to the rest of his ’80s output. If so, check out this thriller.

Stallone stars as Lt. Marion “Cobra” Cobretti who is — and here’s a novel twist — on the trail of a serial killer. Both the action and Stallone’s stubble are over the top, and you can actually hear your brain cells perishing as he mumbles dialogue with then-squeeze Brigitte Nielsen. For all that, the movie is oddly compelling.

Looking for the best shows? Be prepared to hit the road

ValleyWoodstock veteran Country Joe McDonald is on tour with a night of Woody Guthrie tunes. 8 p.m. Sat. West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., Newman. $20-$23. (209) 862-4490.

SacramentoIf you missed Gabriel Iglesias’ local performances, you can catch him this weekend at the Punchline. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. today-Sat. 100 Arden Way. $20. (916) 925-5500.

Sure, a Northern California winter is nowhere near as brutal as, say, one in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean that a week of cold and rain like this one is any fun. Who wouldn’t love to see the sun right about now?

If so, here is your destination. This Web site can link you to some of the best tropical webcams in the Western Hemisphere. A couple of clicks, and you’re reveling in the sun, sand and surf of Cabo, Oahu’s North Shore, Aruba or the Caymans.